Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to an assistive driver safety system that is capable of continuously monitoring a user’s eye while driving to alert the user in case the user is in drowsy state to remain awake or to park the vehicle in order to prevent road accidents and also monitor the conditions of the road to provide real-time updates about road conditions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Vehicle safety and navigation encompass the technologies and practices designed to protect drivers, passengers, and pedestrians while enhancing driving efficiency and route planning. Vehicle safety includes passive features like seatbelts and airbags, as well as active systems such as collision avoidance and lane departure warnings, which work to prevent accidents and minimize injury severity. Navigation systems use GPS, real-time traffic updates, and route planning to provide drivers with efficient, safe routes and alerts about road hazards. Traditional methods of ensuring driver safety and road awareness typically rely on passive systems such as static road signs, manual monitoring by the driver, and basic warning lights. These methods provide limited real-time feedback and are heavily dependent on the driver's attentiveness and reaction times.

[0003] Traditional driver safety and navigation systems have significant limitations that reduce their effectiveness. One major drawback is their reliance on the driver’s ability to manually observe and interpret road signs and conditions, which can be challenging in low-visibility scenarios or during long drives when fatigue sets in. Additionally, static warnings and passive alerts do not offer real-time updates, leading to potential delays in hazard detection and response. The present invention addresses these limitations by incorporating active monitoring and real-time communication means and also continuously assesses the driver’s alertness, while road monitoring modules provide up-to-the-minute information on road conditions.

[0004] CN115880903A discloses about a safety warning device and a warning system for a mountainous surrounding road, and relates to the field of road safety systems. The warning device comprises a support frame and an LED display screen arranged on the outer surface of the support frame, wherein an integrated sensor is arranged at the top of the support frame, and a monitoring camera is arranged on the side surface of the support frame. This warning system includes monitoring system, high in the clouds service and networking system, this mountain surrounding highway safety warning device and warning system thereof, through setting up this warning device at road starting and stopping point, pedestrian and vehicle quantity through monitoring camera on the warning device come the monitoring business turn over this section road, then transmit to all kinds of navigation software and carry out information sharing in the public service platform through the networking system, with the traditional navigation system who only relies on user's location and satellite service, information acquisition is more accurate, information feedback benefits crowd wider. Although, CN’903 is capable of providing safety warning system designed for mountainous roads, falling within the domain of road safety systems, however the system lacks in monitoring a user’s eyes during operation to detect signs of drowsiness and subsequently alerting the user to remain awake or safely park the vehicle to prevent road accidents.

[0005] CN116758745A discloses about a mountain road traffic safety dynamic early warning system, which relates to the technical field of intelligent traffic, and is characterized in that: the system comprises a real-time data acquisition module, a data integration and processing module and an early warning and notification module. By implementing the dynamic early warning system for the road traffic safety in the mountain area, the invention can effectively improve the safety and reliability of the road traffic in the mountain area, reduce the accident rate, improve the traffic efficiency, optimize the resource utilization and further improve the development level of the road traffic in the mountain area. Though, CN’745 is capable of implementing a dynamic early warning system for mountain road traffic safety through modules for real-time data acquisition, integration, processing, and early warning notifications, however the system fails to continuously monitor a driver's eye movements to detect signs of drowsiness and provide alerts for the driver to remain awake or safely park the vehicle to prevent accidents.

[0006] Conventionally, many systems have been developed for addressing various aspects of road safety and traffic management, however, these systems lack in providing continuous monitoring of user-specific conditions while driving, such as detecting drowsiness through eye movement analysis. This limitation hinders their ability to provide real-time alerts to the users while driving, prompting them to remain alert or safely park the vehicle to prevent road accident.

[0007] In order to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks, there exists a need in the art to develop a system that needs to be capable of monitoring the user-specific conditions, particularly detecting signs of drowsiness through precise eye movement analysis to provide real-time alerts to the user, ensuring they remain vigilant or safely park the vehicle to prevent potential road accidents. Additionally, the system incorporates road condition monitoring capabilities, including instant updates on weather conditions, road surface conditions such as potholes and curves, and other potential hazards.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The principal object of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art.

[0009] An object of the present invention is to develop a system that monitor a user’s eye while driving to alert the user in case the user is in drowsy state to remain awake or to park the vehicle in order to prevent road accidents.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to develop a system that monitor the conditions of the road to provide real-time updates about road conditions to the user, thus alerting the user about potential hazards such as potholes, curves, or slippery surfaces due to rain or snow.

[0011] Yet another object of the present invention is to develop a system that monitor ambient light levels of the user while driving to alert the user to turn on headlights if the ambient visibility conditions are low.

[0012] The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The present invention relates to an assistive driver safety system that continuously monitors a user's physiological state while driving a vehicle, aiming to alert the user and prevent potential accidents caused by drowsiness along with monitoring and displaying real-time updates regarding road conditions to enhance user’s awareness and safety.

[0014] According to an embodiment of the present invention, an assistive driver safety system, comprises of an L-shaped telescopic arm having a suction cup at a bottom end for enabling mounting of the arm onto a dashboard of a vehicle, an artificial intelligence-based infrared imaging unit installed at an end of the arm by a ball and socket joint to detect eye movements of a user and determine drowsiness to trigger a microcontroller to actuate a speaker provided with the arm to generate an audio alert for the user to remain awake or park vehicle to prevent an accident, plurality of road monitoring modules installed on a road for detecting condition of the road to communication with a primary wireless communication unit installed within the vehicle to actuate a heads-up display unit configured on the arm to display and notify the user regarding condition of upcoming patch of road, wherein the road monitoring module comprising a temperature sensor for detecting an ambient temperature of the road, a rain sensor for detecting rain on the road, a laser sensor for detecting width of the road, and a camera for capturing the road to determine potholes, curves, or snow on the road, and a secondary wireless communication unit to communicated with the primary wireless communication unit, a microphone provided on the arm for receiving an audio command from the user regarding displaying upcoming road condition to trigger the microcontroller to actuate the primary wireless communication unit to establish communication with the secondary communication unit and actuate the road monitoring module to detect condition of the road and display the condition on the heads-up display unit, an LDR (light dependent resistor) provided on the arm to detect an ambient light level to actuate the speaker to generate an audio warning for the user regarding turning on headlamps of vehicle if the detected light level is below a threshold light level and a battery is associated with the system for powering up electrical and electronically operated components associated with the system.

[0015] While the invention has been described and shown with particular reference to the preferred embodiment, it will be apparent that variations might be possible that would fall within the scope of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:
Figure 1 illustrates an isometric view of an assistive driver safety system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] The following description includes the preferred best mode of one embodiment of the present invention. It will be clear from this description of the invention that the invention is not limited to these illustrated embodiments but that the invention also includes a variety of modifications and embodiments thereto. Therefore, the present description should be seen as illustrative and not limiting. While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, it should be understood, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

[0018] In any embodiment described herein, the open-ended terms "comprising," "comprises,” and the like (which are synonymous with "including," "having” and "characterized by") may be replaced by the respective partially closed phrases "consisting essentially of," consists essentially of," and the like or the respective closed phrases "consisting of," "consists of, the like.

[0019] As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” designate both the singular and the plural, unless expressly stated to designate the singular only.

[0020] The present invention relates to an assistive driver safety system that is capable of continuously monitoring a user's physiological state while driving a vehicle to alert the user and prevent potential accidents caused by drowsiness along with monitoring and displaying real-time updates regarding road conditions to enhance user’s awareness and safety while driving.

[0021] Referring to Figure 1, an isometric view of an assistive driver safety system is illustrated, comprising an L-shaped telescopic arm 101 having a suction cup 102 at a bottom end for enabling mounting of the arm 101 onto a dashboard of a vehicle, an artificial intelligence-based infrared imaging unit 103 installed at an end of the arm 101 by a ball and socket joint, a speaker 104 provided with the arm 101, a plurality of road monitoring modules installed on a road, a heads-up display unit 105 configured on the arm 101, a microphone 106 provided on the arm 101 and an LDR (light dependent resistor) provided on the arm 101.

[0022] The proposed system herein comprises of an L-shaped telescopic arm 101 configured with a suction cup 102 at the bottom end of the arm 101 for enabling mounting of the arm 101 on a dashboard of a vehicle. The suction cup 102 is typically made of flexible, durable rubber or silicone. When the suction cup 102 is pressed against the surface of the vehicle’s dashboard, the air underneath is expelled, and as the flexible material tries to return to its original shape, creating a low-pressure area (vacuum) inside the cup 102. Atmospheric pressure outside the cup 102 is higher than the pressure inside, pressing the cup 102 firmly against the surface and thus the vacuum seal holds the arm 101 securely in place.

[0023] To control the operation of the system, a push button is integrated with the system. The push button serves as a manual switch that initiates an electrical circuit mechanism. Inside the push button, there's a spring-loaded contact mechanism. Normally, these contacts are open, maintaining the circuit in an off state. When the user presses the push button, it compresses the internal spring. This compression causes the contacts within the button to come together, completing the circuit.

[0024] This closure of the circuit sends an electrical signal to an inbuilt microcontroller associated with the system. The microcontroller then interprets this signal to either power up or shut down the system, depending on its current state. If the system is off, pressing the button powers it up. Conversely, if the system is already operational, pressing the button will initiate a shutdown sequence. When the user releases the push button, the spring returns to its original position, which breaks the circuit. This action sends another signal to the microcontroller, instructing it to deactivate the system or to cease any ongoing operations, depending on the user’s requirement.

[0025] Upon activation of the system, the microcontroller activates an artificial intelligence-based infrared imaging unit 103 installed at an end of the arm 101 by a ball and socket joint to detect movement of the user’s eye. The artificial intelligence-based infrared imaging unit 103 functions by utilizing several key components integrated into its design. At its core is an infrared camera sensor capable of capturing thermal images of the area surrounding the unit. The images are processed by an onboard processor equipped with artificial intelligence protocols specifically trained to analyze eye movements. As the unit captures images, the artificial intelligence protocols interpret subtle changes in infrared patterns, identifying distinct eye movements such as blinking rates and changes in gaze direction. This data is continuously analyzed in real-time by the microcontroller to assess the user's level of alertness.

[0026] The microcontroller simultaneously actuates a ball and socket joint that allows flexible positioning, ensuring optimal detection angles. The ball and socket joint provides a 360-degree rotation to the camera for aiding the camera to turn at a desired angle. The ball and socket joint are a coupling consisting of a ball joint securely locked within a socket joint, where the ball joint is able to move in a 360-dgree rotation within the socket thus, providing the required rotational motion to the camera.

[0027] The ball and socket joint are powered by a DC (direct current) motor that is actuated by the microcontroller thus providing multidirectional movement to the camera to ensure that the camera capture infrared images from various angles effectively, enhancing its ability to monitor and detect subtle eye movements of the user for accurate drowsiness detection and user alertness monitoring. Upon detection of the user’s drowsiness, the microcontroller activates a speaker 104 provided with the arm 101 to generate an audio alert for the user to remain awake or park vehicle to prevent an accident.

[0028] Plurality of road monitoring modules are installed along roadways are designed to detect and assess various conditions of the road environment. These modules incorporate specialized sensors and communication means to gather real-time data, which is then transmitted to a primary wireless communication unit installed within vehicles.

[0029] The road monitoring module integrates multiple sensors for comprehensive environmental monitoring such as a temperature sensor detects ambient road temperature, a rain sensor detects precipitation levels for identifying slippery surfaces, a laser sensor measures road width and identifies obstacles, and a camera captures visual data to detect potholes, curves, and snow on the road.

[0030] First, the temperature sensor detects ambient temperature of the road, wherein the temperature sensor operates based on its core components and principles to detect ambient road temperature effectively. The temperature sensor utilizes a thermistor whose electrical resistance change with variations in temperature. This thermistor is integrated into the sensor's circuitry, which includes a reference voltage and a microcontroller for signal processing. As the ambient temperature changes, the resistance of the thermistor alters accordingly, causing a corresponding change in the voltage across it. The microcontroller interprets this voltage change and converts it into a digital temperature reading, thus detects the ambient temperature of the road.

[0031] The rain sensor detects the precipitation levels for identifying slippery surfaces, wherein the rain sensor operates on a principle of detecting water presence on a surface to assess precipitation levels and identify potentially slippery road conditions. The rain sensor consists of two main components: a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter emits infrared light beams across the surface being monitored, while the receiver detects the reflections of these beams.

[0032] When there is no water on the surface, the infrared beams reflect directly back to the receiver. However, when water droplets are present on the surface, they scatter and reflect the infrared beams differently, causing a decrease in the intensity of light received by the receiver. This change in intensity is detected and processed by the sensor's circuitry, typically including an amplifier and a microcontroller. The microcontroller interprets the signal from the receiver, determining the presence and intensity of rain on the road surface.

[0033] The laser sensor detects the width of the road, wherein the laser sensor comprises two main components: a laser diode that emits the laser beam, a photodiode that detects the reflected light. When the sensor is activated as commanded by the microcontroller, the laser diode emits a short pulse of laser light towards the road. The light reflects off the surface and returns to the sensor. The photodiode then detects this reflected light. By precisely measuring the time it takes for the laser pulse to travel to the target and back, the sensor calculates the distance. The pattern of the received pulse gets converted into an analog value which is further converted into an electrical signal, wherein the electrical signal is send to a microcontroller embedded with the sensor. The microcontroller then processes the received signal from the sensor, thus detecting width of the road.

[0034] The camera is then activated for capturing the road to determine potholes, curves, or snow on the road. The camera comprises of an image capturing arrangement including a set of lenses that captures multiple images of the surroundings, and the captured images are stored within a memory of the camera in form of an optical data. The camera also comprises of a processor that is integrated with artificial intelligence protocols, such that the processor processes the optical data and extracts the required data from the captured images. The extracted data is further converted into digital pulses and bits and are further transmitted to the microcontroller. The microcontroller processes the received data and determines potholes, curves, or snow on the road. These sensors and camera collectively provide real-time insights into road conditions, transmitting data via a secondary wireless communication unit to the primary wireless communication unit in vehicles, enabling timely alerts and enhancing the user’s safety by notifying of potential hazards and thus optimizing route planning.

[0035] The primary wireless communication unit, upon receiving and processing these signals, triggers the vehicle's microcontroller to activate a heads-up display (HUD) unit configured on the arm 101. The heads-up display (HUD) unit operates by projecting critical information directly on the vehicle's windshield positioned within the user’s line of sight. The display unit 105 typically consists of an optical assembly, a display panel, and control electronics. The optical assembly collimates or redirects light from the display panel to create a virtual image that appears at a distance in front of the user. The display panel generates images based on data received from the vehicle's microcontroller, which processes information from the primary wireless communication unit and other onboard sensors. This data includes real-time updates on road conditions detected by road monitoring modules, such as temperature variations, precipitation levels, road width, and potential hazards like potholes or curves. The control electronics manage the interface between the microcontroller and the display panel, ensuring accurate presentation of information such as navigation prompts, hazard alerts, and speed indications. By providing this visual information directly in the user’s line of sight, the display unit 105 enhances situational awareness, reduces distractions, and supports safer navigation, ultimately improving overall driver safety and navigation efficiency on the road.

[0036] A microphone 106 is provided on the arm 101 for receiving an audio command from the user regarding displaying upcoming road condition. The microphone consists of a diaphragm, typically made of a thin, flexible material such as metal or plastic. When sound waves reach the microphone, they cause the diaphragm to vibrate. These vibrations are directly proportional to the variations in air pressure caused by the sound waves. The diaphragm is coupled to a coil of wire, as the diaphragm vibrates, the coil moves within a magnetic field, inducing an electric current in the wire. This current is proportional to the amplitude and frequency of the sound waves. The electrical signal generated by the diaphragm-coil is transmitted to the microcontroller.

[0037] The microcontroller on receiving the signals actuate the primary wireless communication unit to establish communication with the secondary communication unit and actuate the road monitoring module to detect condition of the road and display the condition on the heads-up display unit 105.

[0038] The arm 101 is configured with an LDR (light dependent resistor) to detect an ambient light condition surrounding the vehicle. The LDR is a special type of resistor that works on the photoconductivity principle. When the light is incident on the LDR, its resistance changes according to the intensity of light. The resistance decreases with an increase in the intensity of light. The measured light intensity is then converted in the form of electrical signal and is sent to the microcontroller and on receiving the measured light intensity from the LDR, the microcontroller processes and detects the intensity of light on the frame. In case the detected intensity light level is below a threshold light level, then the microcontroller actuates the speaker 104 to generate an audio warning for the user regarding turning on headlamps of vehicle.

[0039] The system is associated with a battery for providing the required power to the electronically and electrically operated components including the microcontroller, electrically powered sensors, motorized components and alike of the system. The battery within the system is preferably a lithium-ion-battery which is a rechargeable battery and recharges by deriving the required power from an external power source. The derived power is further stored in form of chemical energy within the battery, which when required by the components of the system derive the required energy in the form of electric current for ensuring smooth and proper functioning of the system.

[0040] The present invention works best in the following manner, where the telescopic arm 101 equipped with the suction cup 102 facilitates secure mounting onto the vehicle's dashboard, ensuring stability and reliability during operation, wherein the microcontroller associated with the system activates the artificial intelligence-based infrared imaging unit 103 integrated with a high-performance processor capable of recording and analyzing infrared images in real-time to monitor driver behavior, particularly eye movements, to detect signs of drowsiness or distraction. Upon detection, the unit triggers the microcontroller embedded within the system. The camera is then activated for capturing the road to determine potholes, curves, or snow on the road to provide real-time insights into road conditions, transmitting data via the secondary wireless communication unit to the primary wireless communication unit in vehicles, enabling timely alerts and enhancing the user’s safety by notifying of potential hazards and thus optimizing route planning. The arm 101 is configured with the LDR (light dependent resistor) to detect the ambient light condition surrounding the vehicle and case the detected intensity light level is below the threshold light level, then the microcontroller actuates the speaker 104 to generate an audio warning for the user regarding turning on headlamps of vehicle.

[0041] Although the field of the invention has been described herein with limited reference to specific embodiments, this description is not meant to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well as alternate embodiments of the invention, will become apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to the description of the invention. , Claims:1) An assistive driver safety system, comprising:

i) an L-shaped telescopic arm 101 having a suction cup 102 at a bottom end for enabling mounting of said arm 101 onto a dashboard of a vehicle;
ii) an artificial intelligence-based infrared imaging unit 103, installed at an end of said arm 101 by a ball and socket joint and integrated with a processor for recording and processing images in a vicinity of said arm 101, to detect eye movements of a user and determine drowsiness to trigger a microcontroller to actuate a speaker 104 provided with said arm 101 to generate an audio alert for said user to remain awake or park vehicle to prevent an accident;
iii) a plurality of road monitoring modules 201 installed on a road for detecting condition of said road to communication with a primary wireless communication unit installed within said vehicle to trigger said microcontroller to actuate a heads-up display unit 105 configured on said arm 101 to display and notify said user regarding condition of upcoming patch of road; and
iv) said road monitoring module comprising a temperature sensor for detecting an ambient temperature of said road, a rain sensor for detecting rain on said road, a laser sensor for detecting width of said road, and a camera 202 for capturing said road to determine potholes, curves, or snow on said road, and a secondary wireless communication unit to communicated with said primary wireless communication unit.

2) The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein a microphone 106, linked with said microcontroller, provided on said arm 101 for receiving an audio command from said user regarding displaying upcoming road condition to trigger said microcontroller to actuate said primary wireless communication unit to establish communication with said secondary communication unit and actuate said road monitoring module to detect condition of said road and display said condition on said heads-up display unit 105.

3) The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein an LDR (light dependent resistor) provided on said arm 101 to detect an ambient light level to trigger said microcontroller to actuate said speaker 104 to generate an audio warning for said user regarding turning on headlamps of vehicle if said detected light level is below a threshold light level.

4) The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein a battery is associated with said system for powering up electrical and electronically operated components associated with said system.